Illuminated Cigar Label

ABSTRACT

An illuminated cigar label. The label includes an label element, for example in the form of a block with a concave inner surface or a band. A light source, such as a light-emitting diode, and an energy source, such as a battery or solar cell array, are attached to the label element. Various forms of the battery are described. Other alternatives include light sources of a type including a self-contained energy source, examples of which include bioluminescent and chemically-luminescent materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofProvisional Application No. 61/839,565, filed Jun. 26, 2013,incorporated herein by this reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention may be implemented into an illuminated label for a cigar,including one or more light sources that are attached to or integratedwithin the label. The light source element may be attached below thelabel so as to illuminate through the label material, integrated withinthe label itself, or may be attached to the top outer surface of thelabel. An energy source for the light source element is attached to orintegrated to the label below its surface, so as to not be visible tothe viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigar with an illuminated cigar labelaccording to embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an illuminated cigar label according toan embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are cross-sectional views of illuminated cigar labelsaccording to embodiments of this invention.

FIGS. 4 a through 4 c are elevation views of the construction of anilluminated cigar label according to embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention will be described in connection with its embodiment asimplemented into a label for a cigar, as it is contemplated that theinvention will be especially beneficial when realized in that manner.However, it is contemplated that this invention may be beneficiallyapplied to other articles. Accordingly, it is to be understood that thefollowing description is provided by way of example only, and is notintended to limit the true scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation of an illuminated cigar labelaccording to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, cigar10 is shown with label element 12 attached thereto. As will be evidentfrom the description below, label element 12 may be in the form of acigar band or a cigar holder. In this example, label element 12 includesprinted promotional information at its surface as shown in FIG. 1.According to embodiments of the invention, light source 14 is attachedto or integrated within label element 12, and emits light of one or morecolors.

FIG. 2 shows label element 12 with light source 14 in a front elevationview, illustrating the relationship of light source 14 with thepromotional information of label element 12. In this embodiment of theinvention, the portion of light source 14 visible in FIG. 2 is atransparent or translucent jeweled cover overlying a light-emittingdiode (LED).

FIGS. 3 a and 4 a illustrate the construction of an illuminated cigarlabel according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, FIG.3 a is a cross-section of cigar 10, looking downward along its axis asindicated in the elevation view of FIG. 4 a. In this embodiment, thelabel element is in the form of plastic block 25 having a concave (e.g.,of constant radius, such as semi-circular) inner surface abutting cigar10; as such, block 25 may be a cigar holder, or may alternatively simplybe adhered to the cigar surface. Block 25 is not visible in the view ofFIG. 4 a, so that the inner components are visible. As described above,LED 22 is attached to or integrated within block 25, and is covered bytransparent or translucent cover 20. LED 22 is powered from disk-stylebattery 24, which in this embodiment is integrated within or attached toblock 25.

FIG. 3 b illustrates another embodiment of the invention incross-section. In this embodiment, the label element is in the form ofcigar band 35, and as such wraps around cigar 10, with its ends eithermated on the back side of cigar 10 or constructed as a contiguous bandthat fits snugly around cigar 10. In this embodiment, LED 32 is attachedto or integrated into a location of band 35, and is covered bytransparent or translucent cover 30. In this embodiment, battery 34 is a“can” type battery to which leads from LED 32 make contact, for exampleas shown in FIG. 4 b. As such, LED 32 and battery 34 are disposed oneabove the other in a direction parallel to the axis of cigar 10, asevident from FIGS. 3 b and 4 b.

FIG. 4 c illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which leadsof LED 42 make contact to opposite sides of ultra-thin LiPON battery 44,such as the NANOENERGY battery available from Front Edge Technology,Inc. This type of battery is especially attractive for use in connectionwith embodiments of the invention, due to its ultra-thin construction(e.g., as thin as 0.05 mm), and flexible form factor.

Further in the alternative, it is contemplated that the energy sourcepowering light source 14 may be a small array of solar cells that isattached to or integrated into label element 12. For the alternative ofFIGS. 3 a and 4 a including block 25 as the label element, such a solarcell array may be implemented in similar fashion as disk battery 24. Forthe alternative of FIGS. 3 b and 4 c, a solar cell array formed on aflexible substrate may be realized in place of ultra-thin flexiblebattery 44, with the appropriate lands or other connecting elements towhich LED 32 may attach.

Further in the alternative, it is contemplated that light source 14 maybe of a type that includes a self-contained energy source, in which casean external energy source such as a battery is not necessary. Forexample, light source 14 may be constructed of a chemically luminescentmaterial such as phosphorous, tritium, and the like. Another example ofthe construction of light source 14 with a self-contained energy sourceincludes bioluminescent materials such as “foxfire”, which is a fungusthat emits visible light.

In each of these embodiments, as well as alternatives and variationsthat will be apparent to those skilled in the art having reference tothis specification, it is contemplated that the illuminated cigar labelwill be a disposable item, in that the label, LED, and battery will beremovable from the cigar as a unit, for discarding or disposal.

It is contemplated that the LED used in the light source according toembodiments of this invention may be of any one of a various number oftypes and colors; indeed, it is contemplated that the illuminated cigarlabel of embodiments of this invention may be of different colors toallow identification of individual cigars by smoker, for example toavoid mixing up cigars that have been set down at an ash tray. It isfurther contemplated that a removable plastic tab or tape may bedisposed between the leads of the LED and the terminals of the batteryat the time of manufacture, to prevent the LED from discharging batterypower until desired by the user. At the time that the cigar is smoked,the user can then pull the tab or tape away from the cigar label,allowing the LED leads to make contact to the battery and beginillumination.

While this invention has been described according to its embodiments, itis of course contemplated that modifications of, and alternatives to,these embodiments, such modifications and alternatives obtaining theadvantages and benefits of this invention, will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art having reference to this specification and itsdrawings. It is contemplated that such modifications and alternativesare within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminated cigar label, comprising: a labelelement; a light source attached to the label element; and an energysource coupled to the light source.
 2. The cigar label of claim 1,wherein the label element comprises: a block having a concave innersurface.
 3. The cigar label of claim 2, wherein the energy sourcecomprises a disk battery attached to the block.
 4. The cigar label ofclaim 3, wherein at least one of the disk battery and the light sourceis integrated into the block.
 5. The cigar label of claim 3, wherein thelight source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 6. The cigar label ofclaim 1, wherein the label element comprises a cigar band.
 7. The cigarlabel of claim 6, wherein the energy source comprises a can batteryattached to the cigar band.
 8. The cigar label of claim 7, wherein thelight source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 9. The cigar label ofclaim 7, wherein the energy source comprises a flexible ultra-thinbattery.
 10. The cigar label of claim 9, wherein the light sourcecomprises a light-emitting diode having a pair of leads that are inelectrical contact with opposing sides of the flexible battery.
 11. Thecigar label of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a solar cellarray attached to the label element.
 12. An illuminated cigar label,comprising: a label element; a light source, attached to the labelelement, the light source of a type including a self-contained energysource
 13. The cigar label of claim 12, wherein the light source iscomprised of bioluminescent material.
 14. The cigar label of claim 12,wherein the light source is comprised of a chemically luminescentmaterial.